So... I'm Moving Back to England

General chat about life in the Land Of Smiles. Discuss expat life, relationship issues and all things generally Thailand and Asia related.
Tyrell
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by Tyrell »

Hi There
Just been reading with interest all the comments regarding the above.
I'm in Scotland at the moment looking at the overcast clouds. I'm returning to Hua Hin in two weeks and will be there until next April when I come back for daughter's wedding. Been back 4 months to enjoy some motorcycling in what can be one of the best places subject to weather. Been on 5 trips and the weather ranged from brilliant to atrocious, yesterday was beautiful here 25°C, today ... :cry:
Been visiting Hua Hin and Thailand for 10 years now and usually spend 8 months in Thailand (Hua Hin) and 4 months UK with various travelling in between. Probably got the balance about right which enables me to appreciate all aspects of "dual" living.
I found my self recognising most of the positive and negative comments made in equal part because it depends on your perspective and what you personally determine to be your priorities.
Anyway let's take life as it comes and as long as we are looking at the grass from the right side I'm going to get on and enjoy what time I have left, recognising the good and the bad but happy to be breathing, even though some times it can be a bit 'pongy' and not always easy to understand.
Hope you all enjoy the future as you determine it.
Cheers
Tyrell
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Siani
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by Siani »

I think that you are doing the wisest thing. A lot of your posts have been about how to overcome boredom in Thailand. It takes a special person to live long term there.
I was not at the ripe age on 33 years, in fact twice that when I went to HH lock stock and thoughts of a life living in paradise. I planned to have a lovely place and create a garden for myself and husband. This was not to be, as boredom set in and I found myself looking forward to going to Tesco!!!! I hate supermarket shopping but it ended up to be one of the daily highlights. We ate out about 4 times a week, but other than the odd trip to the temple, vineyard that was about it.
You will be arriving in gloomy November, in the UK but don't let it put you off, there is so much to do. Also if you want cheap holidays, Greece, Spain France are just a short flight away.
Don't get me wrong, I like Thailand, will come back on holiday. I can understand men with Thai wives, family there, couples that are happy with their own lot.
I enjoy your posts so also hope you will carry on posting. The forum needs people like you who have a sense of humor and who are intelligent.
I used to enjoy Sandmans posts, but he went back and never wrote again to my knowledge.
Harrogate is lovely, apparently one of the best tea ☕ rooms in the world there called Bettys.
Wishing you all the best to you.
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by RCer »

gerryha wrote:I can hardly believe your post! It encapsulates exactly the reason why, after 11 years, we are leaving Thailand in Jan. It is often said that Thais dont want us here and I no longer want to live where it is made clear on a daily basis that we are not welcome. One of the saddest things is that I have never met a farang who has a real Thai friend - go for a few beers together, pop round each others house etc.

Best of luck with the move.
The part about friends is interesting.

Since coming here I have found the farangs to be very off putting. As though I were invading their private territory.
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by REEM »

I simply can't handle...

* being an alien.

* the fact that I could be kicked out of the country at the whim of an ignorant xenophobic.

* working for 'precious' people who can't handle criticism.

* the dirt, rubbish and pollution.

* the increasing level of street dogs once again in Hua Hin.

* blah blah blah etc etc.

I'm moving from the place of the mysterious 'jumping off balcony farangs' to the 'happiest place in the UK', Harrogate. I'm used to switching between each polar extreme so this suits me to a tee.

So...

What to expect after 12 years away?
Well done that man.

After 12 years in Thailand we also moved back to the UK, for pretty much the same reasons. We have a nice condo in Hua Hin that we shall keep and use for 4 or 5 months in the winter, but during the spring, summer and autumn we will be spent in the UK, North Yorkshire to be exact. My wife, who is Thai and had previously lived there for 15 years prefers the UK with its easier climate, better value, countryside that you can actually walk around in, and people with a more grounded view of life and not obsessed with the prices and appearances

For me I find I am much more engaged with life whilst in the UK, I know where I stand, goalposts are not constantly on the move and I know I will never be illegally shaken down for money by the authorities. Thailand is fine for a holiday, even an extended one, but after 12 years we were just too bored with our lives there, as another poster said, Market Village started become the highlight of the day, and when that happens you know something is wrong.

It is not easy, in fact I would say it is impossible to fully integrate into Thai society in any meaningful way, and even though I can speak and read Thai to a high standard, it is very difficult to engage a Thai in any meaningful conversation other than about food, the superficialities of life or where to get something at a cheaper price.

The only Thais that seem able to hold a logical opinion, are open to new ideas and are able to argue their case are those educated abroad and then the conversation is in English. Sure Thais are friendly and smile a lot but its hard to go deeper than that and the general lack of ethics, refusal to accept responsibility, the constant brushing under the carpet of truthfulness in order to preserve face, and their childish enslavement to mammon and status got harder and harder to live with.

Thailand is a fun place, but ultimately it is no more than a scruffy and disorganised cul de sac on ones journey through life.

Good luck in Harrogate, I know it well and it is a fine town.
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Big Boy
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by Big Boy »

Some food for thought there REEM.

I've read the various comments about friendship, and have been putting lack of friends down to a Farang/Farang couple. Yours is a different relationship i.e. Farang/Thai.

I don't really drink, so I wouldn't really go down to the pub for a beer. I'm too stupid/shy to try to learn the language - I know enough to get by, but I'll never be anywhere near fluent. As for reading and writing, forget it. However I do have Thai friends. many of them I've befriended through extended family, but they'll certainly help me out when I'm in need. I've also befriended a few through watching football - these aren't the bussom buddy type, but a similar relationship to football supporter friends in the UK.

I guess my needs are fairly simple, and I tend to mix more in the Thai circles (not a criticism - just trying to work out why). I guess if you're a golfer, go to posh restaurants and enjoy bar life, you are less likely to socialise with so many Thais. I didn't come here to continue my Western ways to the full, so I guess that's the difference.

Anyway, thank you for your interesting input, which got me thinking. I don't want to steal GLC's farewell, so :offtopic: please.
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GLCQuantum
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by GLCQuantum »

There have been a lot of many really meaningful posts on here that, if I were to respond to all suggestions and points, I'd be writing a really long winded post now. Saying that, I'll do my best, but thanks for all the good luck wishes. It's really appreciated.
Be prepared to miss it like hell. Be prepared to be treated a bit like an alien (yes even in Harrogate) and be prepared for people to switch off when you tell them where you have been.
Completely prepared for that. I know that there will be no fanfare on my arrival. Trumpets will be replaced with umbrellas and frowned faces. My expectations are low so I believe my chances of survival are high.
Anyway, I have always enjoyed your posts on here, and I sure as hell hope that you don't just vanish into the night.
My most enjoyable place on the internet has been here for nearly a decade so I will certainly still be around. Most of my posts aren't anything Thai related (or related to anything relevant at all) anyhow, so I think I'll still stand in good stead here. :D
Life is: 10 % random chance, 90 % your own decisions and attitudes.
My attitude, for the most part, is balanced medically and my decisions are random chance... so where does that leave me?

In response to REEM's post. There are so many good points in your post that I can't respond to one particular thing but would like to say thank you for such a well written opinion post.
I guess my needs are fairly simple, and I tend to mix more in the Thai circles (not a criticism - just trying to work out why). I guess if you're a golfer, go to posh restaurants and enjoy bar life, you are less likely to socialise with so many Thais. I didn't come here to continue my Western ways to the full, so I guess that's the difference.
As you know from our talk in PP bar (of which you nailed the content earlier) I certainly don't go 'posh' or enjoy rounds of golf. For the majority of my stay, I couldn't really afford (nor was bothered about) the real 'luxuries' in life.

I came here for the first time when I was 11 or 12 and had 2 or three more trips before my stay here at 20. I lived full-on Thai for a few years in somewhat of a jungle setting with only the Thai people around. I speak fluent (informal) Thai. I've had many a good Thai friend and still have. My family is a mix of Thai and half Thai. So the 'integration' thing (whilst I do understand it) doesn't actually apply to myself. It's the 'integrated and still not fully accepted' part that whacks me round the head with a baseball bat.

Again, thanks for the comments. At a time like this, it's a real upper to read.

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Big Boy
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by Big Boy »

................. and at the end of the day, if you do miss it too much, we're only 12 hours away.
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GLCQuantum
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by GLCQuantum »

Big Boy wrote:................. and at the end of the day, if you do miss it too much, we're only 12 hours away.
Preparing for that too...

:cheers:
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by PeteC »

Good luck GLC. Hopefully you can use your Asian experience in whatever field you get into. You know how they think, behave and reason and that should be an asset, at least sell it as an asset during interviews.

Send us some nice Christmas scene photos when the time comes, especially if it's snowing! :D All the best. Pete :cheers:
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by oakdale160 »

I am visiting Toronto. I exit the airport pushing my luggage cart.I need to cross the first road which is for buses and taxis only and get tothe pick-up road beyond. As soon as I get within 5m of the designated crossing strip, ALL the cars stop and flash their lights for me to cross--Welcome to Canada.
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by migrant »

oakdale160 wrote:I am visiting Toronto. I exit the airport pushing my luggage cart.I need to cross the first road which is for buses and taxis only and get tothe pick-up road beyond. As soon as I get within 5m of the designated crossing strip, ALL the cars stop and flash their lights for me to cross--Welcome to Canada.
Where is the fun in that? :cheers:
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by JW »

Sad to see you go young fella, some great times over the years when all you teachers were in JWs on a very regular basis! Good luck....and Harrogate is a brilliant town.
I really do echo the posts of Jack Sprat and heart of midlothian.....many of us have true Thai friends (yeah i kno some out there will say we are delusional) its done by being respectful, friendly and understanding that Thai people live differently and with different goals in life. There were an equal (if not more) Thai friends at my dads funeral in April thanforeigners
People with good hearts and manners get along fine here.
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by JW »

You need to have a go away do fella, lets us know where u wanna do it, JWs would put some grub on i reckon..but its nothing to do with me now so talk to Emm..or just a piss up in soi 80 maybe more whats needed!
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by Stargeezer »

I have relatives in Bangkok so I am a lucky one who gets to go to Thailand for a few
months each year, and I have a safe place to store my clothes and stuff when I am not in
the country. I have a relative that rents a condo in Jontien, and a friend who has a place
in Hua Hin. I get to stay with both of them for a week or 2, and this year i will probably rent
an apartment in Hua Hin for a month as well. I have been coming to Thailand since the 90s
and I still could not stay there for an entire year. I still like the weather in Canada from May through
to November, so I will travelling back and forth ever other year from now on, as money is tighter
with the lousy Alberta economy. Good luck in England! At least you are not as bad off as
France , where some of the cities look like they belong in some Muslim country with
all the Arabic signs and areas which look like the Middle East. If I went to Great Britain, I would likely try to
live in Scotland, where the language is harder to understand, and the people are pretty set in their
good old Scottish ways.
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Re: So... I'm Moving Back to England

Post by GLCQuantum »

JW wrote:You need to have a go away do fella, lets us know where u wanna do it, JWs would put some grub on i reckon..but its nothing to do with me now so talk to Emm..or just a piss up in soi 80 maybe more whats needed!
Cheers Johnny. Very kind of you for the thought. After speaking to a few friends I was thinking of a knees-up down 'The Thatch' 112 all friends and foes, old and new - a good ol' piss up.

Closer to the time, we'll see where I end up... who knows!

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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